Comments on: Gospel-focused small groups

By: benlreed

benlreed — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:51:41 +0000

Great thoughts, Matt. Thanks for the kind words. So, what are you doing in your group to make sure the Gospel is consistently before your flock, and that they have the opportunity to live it out in the way that God has uniquely created them?

By: Matt

Matt — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 19:18:39 +0000

Thanks for the post – this really had me thinking many things… here are a few:
(1) “What is the Gospel?” As a teacher of mine once said, “Words do not have meanings, people have meanings for words.” I bet if you asked 10 people what it means for them to live out the Gospel you would get an array of answers. When it comes down to living out the Gospel it means different things to different people – based on their religious upbringing/experience, life experience, talents etc. It is important to note that the core truth of the Gospel remains – we just live it out differently. The unique creations we are allow us to live it out in our own unique way. So how am I living out the Gospel? I’d like to think I am using everything God’s given me but I know I fall short. To die daily to myself and take up the cross daily is a challenge but that is part of the process in my growth and striving to live out the Gospel.

(2)”Why are we not making disciples more quickly at Grace?” I like your first reason the best – it is our responsibility to share the message of Christ but that seed falls on different types of soil. Sometimes the seed will take right away and sometimes it will need constant care and still not take. Sometimes another farmer may succeed where we were unable. It would be great to see it happen quickly but sometimes I think that if it happens slowly the plant may grow with a stronger foundation…

(3) Thanks for the reminder! (Group leaders need to be reminded that they are the shepherd leaders of their group, and as such, should concern themselves greatly with the eternal state of the souls in their group)

Just some thoughts…

By: Randi

Randi — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:32:48 +0000

awesome!! thanks! my hubby & I are part of a church plant starting up soon here in North carolina…. and we are the ‘directors of connections’ / small group/ discipleship/mentoring. You & Jared Wilson & Ricky Cook are actually the 3 I had wanted to get in touch with to pick your brain and ask questions — but your blogs have done it for me! Thanks for sharing! I want so deeply to be all about the gospel, discipleship, mentorship, serving the community around us. take care

By: brandonreed

brandonreed — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 02:35:18 +0000

wow…great insight for small groups. I think so often, we get in the mindset that we have to adapt the current system or try some new thing, or hold a rally for some program when in reality, we need to kill the program. Unfortunately, programs and a tradition that has been in a church can be held on the infallible and holy level. What we need to hold high, as you so perfectly put it, is the Gospel! Lets be champions of making much of the Gospel and Scripture and not our programs. If it doesn’t work, KILL IT! I think that you clarified that a balance in programs and not becoming pragmatic when you said that we must make small groups about discipleship and the Gospel.

Great post Ben! Thanks for the help with thinking through small groups. You are a great resource for other pastors and small group leaders as to what small groups are and should be.